Celtic are edging closer to completing a deal to bring Riley McGree to Parkhead in the January transfer window.

What's the talk?

That's according to a report by the Daily Record, who claim that Ange Postecoglou has already wrapped up a deal to sign the Charlotte FC midfielder this month after Celtic found a resolution in their talks with the Major League Soccer side regarding a £3m move.

The report goes on to state that Birmingham City - where the 23-year-old had spent the last 14 months on loan - had hoped to extend the Australia international's stay at St. Andrew's further, however, the Championship side look to have been beaten to the signing of the midfielder by the Bhoys.

Finally, it is claimed that Postecoglou was personally involved in the negotiations for McGree due to his previous relationship with the player at international level, while it is also said the Hoops are hoping to get the paperwork and visa regarding the transfer in place in order for the 23-year-old to link up with the 56-year-old's first-team squad as quickly as possible.

Postecoglou will be buzzing

Considering Postecoglou's and McGree's previous relationship, in addition to the midfielder's impressive form in the second tier of English football this season, the fact that Celtic appear to have wrapped up the signing of the Charlotte FC midfielder in such quick fashion is sure to have left the Greek-Australian manager buzzing.

Indeed, over his 13 Championship outings for Birmingham in the current campaign, the £540k-rated man scored two goals, provided two assists and created three big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 1.4 key passes per game.

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The £5.7k-per-week midfielder who Tim Cahill claimed has "amazing feet" also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.3 interceptions, 1.2 tackles, 22 passes and winning 4.8 duels per fixture.

These returns saw the Australian earn a very respectable average SofaScore match rating of 7.02, ranking him as the Blues' sixth-best player in the league so far this season.

As such, it would very much appear as if McGree will make a fantastic addition to Postecoglou's current options in the middle of the park, with the 56-year-old's side already looking much healthier following the earlier arrivals of Reo Hatate, Yosuke Ideguchi, Daizen Maeda and Johnny Kenny this January.

In other news: Celtic make offer for 41-goal dynamo who's a "Jota-type trickster", he's a big upgrade